Clean water flows once more in Kotmale Oya
Garbage bins being distributed to the community for segregation of biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste
TheArunella waste management project spearheaded by Unilever Sri Lanka’s CeyteaFactory in Agarapathana recently achieved the complete elimination of waste being dumped in and around the Kotmale Oya in the surrounding towns of Dayagama, Agarapathana,Gleinline,Holbrook and Nagasena.
A joint initiative of Unilever, the Nuwara Eliya Pradeshiya Sabha, the Agarapathana and Dayagama Police and members of the local community, this is a major success for community-based waste management projects in the country.
“The Kotmale Oya has always been one of our key sources of water with over 1,500 families living in the area depending on it. The dumping of waste in and around the river had polluted it, making the water unfit for consumption. The Arunella waste management project was launched in August 2016 with the aim of turning this situation around. With zero waste now being dumped into the Kotmale Oya, over 20,000 people from our community can begin using the river water once again,” said Assistant Commissioner of Local Government Vidura Sampath.
The Ceytea factory team kickstarted the project with a series of awareness sessions covering all towns in the area with the support of the Nuwara Eliya Pradeshiya Sabha and the Agarapathana Police. Dedicated garbage bins for segregating biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste were distributed to the community. The Nuwara Eliya Pradeshiya Sabha processes biodegradable waste at the Pathana composting plant with non-biodegradable waste being recycled. The Police ensure that the communities abide by their commitment to the project.
Environmental committees comprising members of the local community were constituted to make the initiative self-sustainable. These teams of volunteers monitor the situation on the ground and ensure proper segregation, collection and disposal of waste. Working closely with the Nuwara Eliya Pradeshiya Sabha, the Agarapathana Police and the Unilever Ceytea Factory, they meet once a month to discuss the progress of the project.
“At Unilever we seek to grow our business whilst decoupling our environmental footprint from our growth and increasing our positive social impact. In line with this, we are delighted to work with the Nuwara Eliya Pradeshiya Sabha, the Agarapathana Police and members of the local community on the ongoing Arunella Waste Management initiative,” said Chairman, Unilever Sri Lanka Carl Cruz.
Charged by the remarkable outcomes they have achieved within a short period, members of the community are exploring more ways in which they can collaborate with government bodies and businesses to bring positive change to the area.